Fuse.



W. J. BRITT, JR.

FUSE.

AIPLIGATION FILED 11130.15, 191s.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.,

WIIQLIAM .rjiamrcrg .Tamer sfr. Louis, Massenet, assisnoa'i'ro mennen ennemie MANurnCfrURrNG sonni.

GOIVIPANY, OF ST. LOUES, MISSOUR, A. CORPORATIQN F MIS-f ruse.

Specicatlon of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept.. i5. 1911i.

Application sied December 15, 191s'. serial No. suceso.

To all {who/ml itmay concern l a citize-noi' the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new andA usefullmprovements in Inclose'd'Fuses, of which .the following is a specification, reference bemg .had to the accompanying drawings, forniing a part hereof, 1n Which Figure 1 is an elevational View, partly in longitudinal section, of an mclosed fuse embodying-my invention in preferred form;

Fig. 2 is a1 longitudinal sectional vView through the same taken approximately' at "right angles to the lsection shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View on the lines 3-3. .lf l and Fig. 4 isa trans versejsectional View on' the line 4 4, l; Fig., 5 is a fragmentaryrien', partly in longitudinal sectiomshowing a slightly modified form of terminal,or contact-blade securing-means; Fig. isa similar View showing another slightly modified forni of ter- Ininal or contact-blade securing-means; andl Fig. Tis a perspectiy'e VieWvof a 4member of the.'contactblade` securing-means shown 1n Y This invention relates generally to elec tric safety-f fuses and', more particularly, to certain new and. useful -lmprovements 1u that class ofelectric safety/fuses commonly known as inclosed or cartridge-fuses.

Fuses of this class usually comprise a 'hollow Ashell or casing of fibrous-or other analogous insulation 'materiah end-caps or closures, 'terminal members or contact-blades y extending 'longitudinally of the casing and projecting therefrom at its ends through the end-caps, a suitable fusible element or 4link suitably electrically connected to the con tact-blades and bridging,r the space therebetween Withinthe casing, the fusible element or link harlug a current carrymg-capacity less than the ci'irre'nt carrying-capacityl of the contact-.blades and 'being adapt-ed to carry the current up to a certain rated ampcrage and` to blow or fuse on an. over loadi` r increase of current, thereby protecting the electricicircuit in which the fuse' may be'arranged or inserted', as Will be Well' understood, and a Vfilling of"suitable"non` conducting inaterial',14 preferably in 'a pulverulent .or "finely dividedstate, the func.` tion of which is :td dissipate the heat`- and 'provide minute pathsior interstic'es for the.

after be described and afterward pointed the fusing` or blowing of the fusible element. Heretofore, the blade-terminals and end-k caps or 4closures of the casing have been se-l cured Within and upon the casing in various ways and by 4various means, butihe members or parts of fuses so constructed. are, so farvas l airr aware, more or less difficult of. assemblage and more or less eiqiensve;to manufacture. Heret'ofore, also, so far asy IV ainaware, the fusibleelem'ent or link of such lfuses has been in the form, one or the other,

heldwithin the fuse-casing by securingfjmeans engaging merely with the casing and blades;

'to provide a fuse oflthelrind statedhaying a fusible link formed of main or principal and secondary fusible members-thesccondf .i ary members being adapted normally tomen;

A escape `of the vapo-r or gases evolved upon fill.

form the `'function of leading-in or ciurentf:l i

carrying means for the main fusible member.

and abnormallyto perform the function of" a safety valve for the fu'se; and to im prove, generally upon, andsimplify the const tion of .fuses of the class mentioned.

`With the above and other objects in yieiil, i

'my invention resides in certain novel ifeatures of forni, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, all as will hereinout in the claims. i

In the accompanying drawings-.in which like reference characters refer to like parts'V throughout the several views, l indicates lthe' fuse casing, which is preferably an2openended tubular `shell of-iibrous or voil-heran-- alogoiils insulation material and which may4 be of any' suitable lengt-h and vdiameter as required according to the desired size or` current-carrying capacity of the fuse.

2 2 indicate suitable flanged or cu shaped 'preferably metallic caps which are adapted, in the finished fuse, to fit on. casing l at ifso'pposite ends and provided elosures therefor, ycarie 2&9. being, removably secured on casing lrbymeans of smelliecre'we or other like fastening means Sues seen par tieularly in Fig. 2.

fr indicates what l will call the main member of the fusible element or link of my new fuse, this member l being preferably` as seen particularly in Fig. il, in the form of a plurality of seperated wires of zinc or other suitable readily 'fusible metal stretched lengthwise oi, and Within, casing l tightly between, and having their opposite ends suitf ably electrically connected to, the inner ends of, what l will. designate, the secondary members 5--5 oi.E the fusible-element or, link o the fuse.

Members which are both preferably in the -form of broad tiet strips also of zinc or other' suitable readily` fusible metal haw' ing the saine melting point as, but having a larger or greater ampere carryingeapacity than, mem member l ofthe tuse, are prefer ably riveted or otherwise suitably "electrr cally connected et their opposite ends to the i or aiming openings or perforations, at l,

preferably at right angles to the openings presided for cap-securing screws 3,; and extending at. right angles to, :1nd bearing at their inner ends on, the opposite broad dat faces or blades t3 f3, are pairs of small tubular members 7-T preferably of equal length for properly longitudinally centering blades (l-G and their attached fusible element or link formed of said members and1 5 in ons* ing' l, members 5"7 their outer ends tightly', but reuim'ably, litting in a, pair of said' openings l and thereby engaging with casing l, as seen clearly in Figs, l and Loosely, that is to say, removably, fitting lengtl'ivrise in each of said pairs oi' members 7' and extending transversely of easing 'il and through blades 3-6 et right angles to the broad laces thereof are pins or members' 1,1 iofrzs lwill be completely covered, but also that .said tubular members 7 and pins 8 will be firmly and positively held against removal in their described blade-securing position.

Preferably also the outer ends of members 7 70 are approximately liush with the periphery of casing Surrounding the fusible element or link formed of said members e and 5 and filling the interior of casing l, as a filling 9 of any 75 minute paths or interstices for the escape of the vapor gases arising or evolved upon the fusing or bl owing ot' the fusible elelnent'v or link, caps which are, as is usual, preferably' provided with suitable vent per- Ai'orzitons or openings 10-10, being firmly 35 held'by screws '3 upon casing l and prevented'thereby from being blown ofi"4 casing l by vthe expansion of the gasesgenerated on the fusing of said link.

ln assembling. the parts or' members o-figg my new fuse, blades (i4-6 and their attached fusible members land 5 forming the :fusible element or link are lengthwise inserted into casing l, when blade-securing pins 8 are fitted transversely of casing l and through,

and at right angles to the broad faces of, blades 56, the ends of pins 8-8 being now temporarily held by the operators fingers or other means substantially lush with the periphery ot' casing l. @entering members 100 'lf-J5' are then slidafbly fitted upon pins to longitmliually center blades G--G andtheir attached t'usible link in casing l. Fillino' 9 and end caps 2-2 arenoiv, as described, operatively placed within mrd 'se- 105 also iii-event any pivotal or sidcvvise move 11'0 ment of blades t--G relatively tocasing l. "lo renew or replace muy part or member ot the fuse, it is merely necessary to remove end' caps 2-2, when tlieremaining members of the fuse may be rcadil y taken from casing 115 l. as 'will be obvious.

. ln use, on anormal increase of currenty over the rated earryinggcapaeity of. the fusible wires e, but less than the rated carrying` capacity of fusiblelvmembers'5,'-seid Wires l 12o will blow or fuse sind thereby protect the circuit. in which the fuse may vbe inserted. Should there, however, be an extreme overload oit' current or an increase-oi current'l over the rated oerrying-anecity of 'fusible '125 members 5, then, m sdi'lition to Wiresl 4 fusing or blowing, the said seeondary fusible members 5,? will' also blow or tus-e and thereby n nty the arcceiused orcreated underA seein amormal conditionsfrom disruntimr 13o the fuse, the said econdary fusible members 5 acting, so to speak, under such conditions,

` as a safety valve for the fuse and having the function normally merely of leading-in or current-carrying ystrips for the wires or principal fusible members 4.

. In Fig. 5, I have shown a slightly moditied form'of blade-securing means, in that, instead of having avpluralityA of tubular blade-centering members 7 separable from pin 8, as hereinbefore described,l the pin f 1 member 1l is integral with, and'forms a reduced extension of, a Vcylindrical blade- `'centering member 12 usable in lieu of one of said separable centering members 7 the fuse being otherwise similar to that shown in ligs.l 1 and 4f, inclusive. Y

n Fig. 6, the blade-securing means shown is 'greatly y similar 'to the blade-securing means shown in Fig. 5, but dilfers there from in that the pin member A13, which is integral with, and lforms a vreduced entension of, cylindrical blade-centering member- 14, is threaded for :receiving the coperating blade-centering 'member 15. u1n -this form also, instead ofthe secondary fusible members 5 being directly riveted to blade 6, as

seen in Figs. l and 2, the secondary' fusible member 16 shown is lengthened and perforated to rece ve pin member 13, blade-centering member l5, on being threaded upon pin member L3, firmly holding member 16- and blade 'o in electrical contact.

My new fuse' may be economical y manufactured, `and it will be observed that the several parts thereof may be readily as- `seinbled and may also be easily and conveniently 4renewed or replaced. Itis to be understood that changes. in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of Jhe fuse may', within thev scope of theappendpd claims, be made .and

substituted for' those herein shown and' described without departing from-the'nature and `principle of my invention.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a renewable fuse of the class stated, the, combination with a tubular casing ,open at its end, said casing being provided adjacent its end with a pair of diametrically yopposite openings, of a terminal-blade operatively disposed lengthwise partly interidrly and exteriorly of said casing and adapted for electrical connection interiorly of said casing witha fusible member, said blade bevingA transversely provided with a perfora- Itionfa blade-securingpin 'detachably secur` ing said blade and casing in coperative relation, said pin extending, loosely through said perforation and removably projecting at its ends into said openings andthereby removably lengaging `with said blade and casing, yand a slotted end-cap removably iitting on the end of said casing over the projecting portion of said blade, said cap providing a removable' closure for the `end of the casing yand removably holding said pin in its said blade-securing position; substan'tiallyl as described.

2. In a renewable "fuse of the class stated, I.

4said casing with a fusible member, said blade being transversely provided with a perforation at, right angles tothe said faces` thereof, a blade-securingpin detacliably se curing saidA blade and casing in coperative relation, said pin extending loosely through said perforation and removably projecting 'atits ends into said openings and "thereby 1 'removablylengaging with said blade ,and` casing, and a slotted end-capremovable*fitu i ting on the end of said casing over thepro- 4 jecting portion of saidblade, said/capr providing a removable closure for'tlie'iend' of Vthe casing and removably holding said pin in its said blade-securing position; substantially as described. 4

3. In a renewable fuse of the class stated,

vthe combination with a tubular casing open at itsvv end, said casing being provided adjacent its end with a pair ofv diametrically' opposite/openings, of a terminal-blade having relatively broad Ifiat opposite faces operati'vely disposed lengthwise partly intericrly and exteriorly .of said casing and adapted for electricaliconnect-ion interiorly of said casingvvith a fusible member, said blade being transversely provided with a perforation at right angles to the said faces thereof, a .blade-'securing ypin detachably securing Vsaid blade and casing in lcooperative relation, said pin extending loosely through 'said perforation and removably projecting *at its ends into said openings` and thereby removably engaging with said blade and casing, means engaging said blade and casing for centering said blade longitudinally of `said casing, and a fianged slotted endcap' removably fitting on the end of the casrio ing over the projecting portion of said blade,

said cap providing a removable closure for the end of the casing and removably holding said pin in its said blade-securing posi tion; substantially as described.

4l. :In a fuse of the class stated, a tubular casing provided adjacent its 'end with a pair ofdiametrically opposite openings, a ter-` minal-blade having relatively broad fiat opposite faces,V said blade being transversely provided with a perforation at'right angles to the said faces thereof, a blade-securing l so n es pin extending' loosely through said perforation and removably projecting at its ends into` said openings, blade-centering members havin, r their inner ends bearing upon the ilat faces oi said blade and their outer ends ren'iovably projecting in said openings and thereby engaging with the vwall ot' said Casing', and means on the casing for removably holding said pin and `bladerntering means in operative position; substantially as described.

lin a t'nse of' the class stated, a tubular casing provide adjacent its end with a pair ol dianietrical tn )posite openings, a terniinaldilade having;l relatively broad l'latopposite faces, said blade .being transversely provided with a perforation at right angles to the said fares thereof. a blade-securing pin extending loosely through said perforation and removably projecting at its ends into said openings, tubular blade-centering members loosely iittingg on said pin on opposite sides ot said blade, said members having their inner ends bearing upon the fiat faces of vsaid blade and their outer ends red l y movably projectinginto said openings and thereby engaging with the Wall of said casing, and means on the casingfor removably holding` said pin and blade-centering means in operative position; snbstantiallyas described.

G, ln a .inse ot the olas-S stated, a tubular casing provided adjacent its end with a pair oit diainetricaily opposite openings, a terinitial-blade having relatively broad flat o posite faces, said blade being transversey provided with a perforation at right angles to the said fai-,es thereof, a blade-securing pin extendiin: loosely through said perforation and removably projecting` at its ends into said openi tnbnlar blade-centering o w v. members loosely tilting; on said pin on optially as described,

posit@y sides of said blade, said members having` 'their inner ends bearing npon the flat faces oi said blade and. their outer ends romovably projecting nito said openings and' thereby engaging with the wall of said cas-v ing, anna ilanged end cap on Said casing for removably holding said pm and blade-centering means-in operative position; substan- '17. in a gtnse ot the class stated, a tabular caeii'ig provided adjacent its end with a 13a-1r l oi diainetrieally opposite openings, a terminabblade having relatively broad hat opposite fares, said blade being transversely provided with a perforation at right angles t0 the said ,faces thereof, a blade-securing pin extending loosely through said perforation and removably projecting at its ends into said openings, tubular blade-centerinr inembers loosely fitting on said pin on opposite sides of said blade, said menibers having their inner ends bearing upon the flat faces ot said blade and their outer ends removably 6.5 prow-ting' into said openings and thereby engaging with the wall of said casing, and a slotted end-eap on-sald casing for removably holding said pin and blade-center1ng members .in operative position and for preventing pivotal movement ot' said blade relatively to the l fasing, said blade having a portion projecting through the slot of said rap; substantially as described.

8. In a. renewablafnse of the class 'de- 75 scribed, the combination With a tubular casing open at its ends,said casing being p'rovided adjacent its ends with pairs of dlainetrically opposite. openings, of a pair- 0i:

oppositely-disposed terminal blades extending lengthwise, and partly interiorly and eX- teriorly, ol' said casing, each of said blades being transversely provided with a perforation, blade-securing pins detachably securing said blades and casing 1n cooperative re- 85 lation, said pins extending loosely through said perfor-ations and removably projecting at their ends into said openings, a renewable fusible-element disposed lengthwise of and entirely lwithin said casing, said fusible ele- In testimony vvhereof, have signed my ion name to this specification, in the presence ot two subscribingT Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. BRITT, Jn-

Witnesses z Y, i

RUTH PETERSON,

ZELMA P iNoUs. 

